Mcculloch 310/ mc 10-10s

AmarilloSlim said:

My buddy has been getting in to saws and the like from hanging around me and the site as a lurker. He has found some saws on fleabay from stihl and husky but really likes dolmar and maybe mcculloch. He has a thing for top handle saws and today I just happened to find a mc310 top handle. And a mc10-10s for me perhaps since I'm looking for a 50cc saw or so. Anyone have any hands on experience with either? Maybe a yay or nay on $140 for the pair? They are at a pawn shop so no real testing can take place. Will try and take pics tomorrow.

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The top handle "mini-mac" is not well loved by many tinkerers. They can be a pain to work on due to how they are packaged and how much needs to come apart for things like a carb rebuild. I have one, and I don't like the balance. It is hard for me to be effective one handed, but its awkward to use two handed, since your hands are close together.

It will cut wood, and mine hasn't given me any issues, but if I was spending $, I would look hard at an echo top handle.

Haven't ever used a 10-10 variant, but they used to be a staple of firewood harvesters. Lotsa parts on the web if you want to tinker.

We want pics!

If you look around you can probably find the mini-macs pretty cheap. Good top handles bring good money since tree services use them. Look for an older poulan xxv... they are built right and just flat out haul.

If those echos are less than 135 or so, its a solid deal. Lots get bought at home depot for $300, used once, and that's it.

I used a Mac 10-10 for five years or so, after my dad used it for 15 years or so, after my uncle used it for 10 years or so.

It cut lots of wood for me - 10 full cords a year or more - and still ran fine when I sold it for $25.
It had a problem with the recoil starter losing the spring tension every couple of pulls and I didn't want to fiddle with it.

LOUD, considerably slower chain speed than a modern saw, more vibration, but it cut.

Old gas or leaving gas in it would require the carburetor to be cleaned and adjusted.

I wouldn't pay any more than $50 for one, and it better have a good chain or three, a good bar, and fire right up.

I replaced it with an Echo, I think it is the 450 model.

If he likes the top handle, he can certainly find more of them! And good call on the 400.

That echo is brand new! If you buy it, make sure you run a few tanks through it to break it in before you gut the muffler....

The 10-10 is like arbutus said... Not that fast, loud, and the antivibe isnt as great as newer saws. But they are reliable and will cut wood.